tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57083886595859206642017-07-29T04:04:34.475-05:00Across the BrandywineChelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.comBlogger484125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-53619800234180741662014-06-12T07:09:00.002-05:002014-06-12T07:09:27.246-05:00I've moved!I'm now writing and sharing life over at my new website: <a href="http://coeurdeverte.com/">Coeur de Verte</a>. &nbsp;Please go visit me there!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-23615171755079195602014-01-01T20:46:00.001-06:002014-01-01T20:46:08.236-06:00Happy birthday, Margot!How did we get to this milestone so quickly, seeming to fly by the seat of our pants most days? With a lot of grace, a lot of love, and a lot of support from people who love Margot and us.<br /><br />Kyle and I have been brainstorming this girl's first birthday party for quite some time. Personally, I've been thinking about it since before she was born. I thought about dress she wore today, a special little Mini Boden dress I purchased when she was still in my belly, saving it just for today. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11699642516/player/ecbfedd4be" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="333"></iframe><br /><br />I thought about the tea cups, which I've been collecting for just such an occasion for the last four or so years. I thought about the cupcakes, a special splurge from our favorite bakery.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11699262044/player/a545307bbe" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />I thought about the special tea we'd send home with our guests, something blended in her honor <br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="333" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11699646666/player/429b026e09" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />Not every detail was executed just as I dreamed. For example, I wanted to have a really big bash with all our friends and their kids, and I wanted to host it at The London Tea Room downtown. Sometimes, a girl has to simplify. We settled for family and our little flat.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11678952304/player/19fc00d404" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />Mostly, though, when I thought about today, I thought about the smile on our sweet girl's face. I thought about a year of memories with our darling little one. I thought about what it would feel like to have been a family of three for a whole year, never guessing we'd be on our way to a family of four. I thought about how we'd be able to look back and see the goodness of God in one whole year of life together.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11699640936/player/8c3b1eaf11" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="333"></iframe><br /><br />Now that I'm looking back, I see the joy, the struggle, the giggles, the tears, the strength, the fear, the things we've learned, and how much we still have to learn. &nbsp;I hear her cry for the first time while laying on the operating table. &nbsp;I see the sleeping newborn in my arms. I hear Bon Iver playing all night in our room as we try to keep her calm and soothed. I see Kyle's confidence as a daddy grow, and watch his face gleam with pride and joy every time she does something new. I feel my heart racing like never before the first time I thought she was hurt, and the knotted twinge in my gut when she lets out a terrible cry. I feel my heart swell every time she says "hi" in her sweet, small voice, and makes strangers smile back at her. I feel it <i>all</i>...<br /><br />A year full of emotion, the good and the difficult. A year full of life with our sweet Margot Jane.<br /><br />Happy first and golden birthday to our sweet, happy girl. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11699634786/player/768ac3a6c1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="333"></iframe><br />Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-74016854897705318092013-12-09T16:34:00.000-06:002013-12-09T16:34:28.859-06:00Vulnerable. Well, this blog has been neglected, as have many other aspects of life over the past two months. It has been a time of many ups and downs, many joys, and many, many challenges. I can hardly think about all of it without feeling like I might cry, or have a panic attack, or both. SO now I'm going to get a little vulnerable about life...<br /><br />Margot is growing like crazy and doing new things every day. She is so fun and silly, and at the same time increasingly difficult to watch. It's a joy and a challenge. All the growth and change comes with new skills, new mobility, new curiosity, and little fear or understanding of what's safe or unsafe. Just holding her these days can be like a workout, as she likes to throw herself all over the place. It's adorable and exhausting.<br /><br />I suppose of I had just one word to describe the last couple months, it would be <i>exhausting</i>. About 10 weeks ago, we found out we were expecting baby number two. &nbsp;It was very unexpected, but very exciting. &nbsp;Just a couple weeks later, Kyle got a hernia. &nbsp;Apparently, it was one he was born with, but had just never given him problems until then, when it gave him a LOT of problems. &nbsp;About 10 days after that, he had surgery to correct it. It was supposed to be an outpatient procedure, but he did not do well in recovery, and had to be admitted to the hospital. Thankfully, he was released the next day. Since then, it has been a very slow recovery with a lot of ups and downs. &nbsp;He still is not able to lift Margot, or anything heavier than 10 pounds. He is still sore at the end of almost every day, and there have been a few times when he thought he might have re-aggravated it. &nbsp;This has thrown a HUGE wrench into our daily lives, and made our schedules, routines, and rhythms completely wacky.<br /><br />We are grateful for the grace many have extended to us, and ask for continued grace from the many people we've neglected, and those who've made up slack for our shortcomings as we just try to keep our heads above water. &nbsp;It seems like a battle to just "get through" each day.<br /><br />In addition to the woes of Kyle's hernia and recovery, we've had a difficult few weeks with our new downstairs neighbor. There have been so many complaints we could share, but to keep it brief, he smokes a lot of pot. And he may not only be smoking it, as there has been a lot of suspicious activity coming from his apartment the last two weeks. That's right, it has only been two weeks, but we have a huge laundry list of things going wrong. &nbsp;Today, a maintenance man from our building came out to try and seal the duct work to prevent the two apartments from sharing air, but this afternoon, I am smelling it again as if someone were smoking in my own living room. We are praying for wisdom on how to act, and a speedy resolution.<br /><br />This has brought out a lot of emotion in me. On top of all the hormones, I'm struggling with trusting God in all of this. I have struggled with doubting his will for us for a while, and struggling to be content in this phase of life. We have finally finished school, finally both have jobs, finally have our sweet baby and another on the way. After following the Lord to get to this place, and feeling so sure that it was his will for us to move to St. Louis, go back to school, etc. Now we are severely burdened with student loans, feeling stuck in an apartment that is becoming increasingly unlivable, working long hours, and feeling as if we are missing so much. Missing time with each other. Missing important times with Margot. Missing out on any kind of peace.<br /><br />A friend of mine was able to put into words what I've been feeling, "It's hard to feel so far behind, when you did something to get ahead." With all of this comes a lot of dashed expectations. I thought life would be easier after school. I thought we wouldn't have to worry over finances, we'd be able to pay our loans off quickly, buy a nice home, save money, take vacations, and not worry every single day about our finances. The reality has been so very different. &nbsp;I don't know how to recover from this. <br /><br />We are trying to figure it out one day at time, praying for guidance and peace, and asking that God would renew our vision for what life looks like going forward. If I'm being completely honest, I'm terrified. &nbsp;I have no idea what is ahead for us. In my very limited perspective, it looks like a giant mess.<br /><br />We have so much to be thankful for, a happy, healthy marriage, a happy, healthy baby girl, another sweet one coming in June, an amazing church family and actual family who are walking through all of this with us, and a God who knows our struggles and sorrows more deeply than even we do, and who can see what's on the other side.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me be vulnerable. Thanks for praying with us. I pray the peace of Jesus meets each of us this Christmas season.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/11297636476/" title="IMG_9252 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9252" height="333" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11297636476_c5fb49abe5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br />Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-48436655219977656222013-08-05T18:47:00.000-05:002013-08-05T18:48:14.980-05:00Seven Months.Well, I'm just a few days late on writing Margot's seven month update, and in the summer-Bar-exam-madness, I never even wrote a six month one. Oopsies! Sorry, Margot.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9445531245/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8678 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8678" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9445531245_ed0f3461b5.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />A lot has happened since her five month update. One of the most exciting things is that she has two teeth now! It's pretty much impossible to catch them on camera. The two on bottom started coming in a couple weeks ago, and we think she may be working on a couple more on top. Once in a while the poor girl just lets out a wail and puts her hands to her mouth as if there's a sudden wave of pain. Most of her seven-month pictures reflect this. :(<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9445530819/" title="IMG_8686 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8686" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9445530819_31d517c096.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9448317896/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8671 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8671" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/9448317896_11196dbd95.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />We are still doing a combination of nursing and giving her formula, and now she's eating solids, too. Just before she turned six months old, she went through a huge growth spurt and my body just couldn't keep up. I tried every recommended thing to give it a boost, but it simply wasn't enough. She is doing really well on the breastmilk/formula combo, and growing like crazy. The transition was not so bad, despite a little constipation off and on. I still nurse her as much as I can, and she does well switching between the two. She LOVES eating purees now. The only things she does not seem to like so far are broccoli and peaches. I think the peaches were just too tart, and who could blame her on the broccoli?!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9448318366/" title="IMG_8663 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8663" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9448318366_751ebfe340.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />She has experienced many "firsts" in the last couple months, many first foods, first trips to new places, first time having both parents at home, and neither of which are studying for anything! We also had a first in our marriage, first time purchasing a car! We are the proud owners of a Toyota Prius V, and we couldn't be more excited. Since we are not studying and not bound by a small, impractical car, we have a few road trips in our future. The first trip will have to be to see Papa Mo and GranNan down in Anna for a weekend, another first for MJ!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9434249871/" title="We're feeling very sunny this morning. :) by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="We're feeling very sunny this morning. :)" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/9434249871_7db8eb138e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />She rolls all over the place. She is trying hard to Army crawl, and she can kind of do it when she gets her head involved. It's a strange sight. She can sit up unsupported, but only if you help her get there. She's not yet able to pull herself up from laying to sitting, but she's getting close! She still loves to be outside and go on walks. She loves being in the Ergo carrier or in her stroller, it really doesn't matter as long as she is outside!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9448320980/" title="IMG_8619 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8619" height="333" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/9448320980_0ef5ee9da2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Today we took her to the Saint Louis Zoo for the first time. We all enjoyed one more family day before Daddy starts work full-time tomorrow.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9443486153/" title="Greetings from Sea Lion Sound! by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Greetings from Sea Lion Sound!" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/9443486153_b6763c3aa5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />It had been quite a while since Kyle and I had visited the zoo, and there were many new attractions. The Sea Lion show was great! Kyle and I couldn't help but grin throughout the show at the sweet, playful creatures. Margot didn't really get it, but that's okay.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9445535129/" title="IMG_8622 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8622" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/9445535129_b614dfd652.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><iframe class="vine-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://vine.co/v/hbgngIPUDQ6/embed/simple" width="480"></iframe><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script><br />Margot's favorite part was the butterfly house. She was mesmerized by the magical, fluttering creatures, the brightly colored flowers, and the peaceful atmosphere. Mommy was, too.<br /><iframe class="vine-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://vine.co/v/hbXeI57jXpZ/embed/simple" width="480"></iframe><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script><br /><br />It was really a wonderful day with our sweet, happy, seven-month-old girl! I can't believe how big she is, how much she's changing, and much more we love her every day. &nbsp;You are a joy and a blessing, sweet Margot Jane. Mommy and Daddy love you so, so much!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-4764154729692022732013-07-29T17:00:00.000-05:002013-07-29T17:00:05.433-05:00Great is Thy FaithfulnessAs Kyle held me and kissed me goodbye to leave for Jefferson City, MO to take the Bar exam, he expressed his love and gratitude for my support, helping him through law school, etc. I had to fight back tears, not because I was sad he was leaving for two days, but because I thought of just how faithful God has been to us in our marriage.<br /><br />It has been almost seven years since we entered into this covenant. When we made our vows and walked down the aisle as one flesh to face the world, our futures were so unknown. Some people have big dreams and a vision for their lives. My only dreams involved Kyle, and what I hoped would be our future children. Truthfully, I didn't really care much about where we lived or what we did, <i>he</i> was my only dream. To this day, that is still the truth.<br /><br />Sure, I have more clear ideas about our future now. I have more specific dreams about where we'll live and what we'll do, but ultimately, Kyle is still my dream. No matter where the Lord takes us, or what challenges we face, Kyle is still the one I want there by my side as we face them together.<br /><br />We're once again heading into uncharted waters in our marriage. The last several years have been heading for this moment, getting through the Bar exam. We haven't really made many plans for what comes next.<br /><br />Right now, all I can do is reflect on the last few years and think of how good God has been. How gracious. How faithful. &nbsp;Not just in our circumstances, but in our minds and hearts. We feel blessed that He sustained us through so many trials, and feel so much more confident that He will continue to do so.<br /><br />It is good to worship an unchanging God in our very changeable lives. He holds us together as one. He increases our love day after day, year after year.<br /><br />As Kyle goes to face what may be two of the most mentally and emotionally grueling days of his life thus far, two lines from an old hymn come to mind.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine with ten thousand bedside... All I hath needed, Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!</blockquote>I love you, Kyle Bass! God is faithful. He made you and He sustains you. He will keep you in these next two days and forever. You are covered in love and prayer. Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-53104019819819526802013-07-29T08:05:00.001-05:002013-07-29T13:52:23.836-05:00Bar Exam EveGreetings, friends! It's Bar Exam Eve, and I've come out of hibernation to ask for your prayers for Kyle. What I mean by that is that you will really pray, not send positive thoughts, not just say you're going to pray, not think about him for 10 seconds and then forget, but that you will commit to petition God and intercede on his behalf, for real. We are desperate for real intercession here.<br /><br />In the 10 years I've been with Kyle, I can honestly say I've never seen him shaken by anything, not even three years of law school. He somehow always manages to take everything in stride, and approaches all of life with a peaceful, God-trusting attitude. But he. is. shaken. Doubting everything he knows, everything he has learned, his study skills, all his work not being enough, and generally fretful about anything that could go wrong. This is not the Kyle I have known, and the pressure he feels is something I can only kind-of relate to.<br /><br />Please don't keep telling him, "I'm sure you'll pass!" As many previous bar-takers have told me, it isn't helpful. Please do pray. Please do remind Kyle that God is good, that he is not alone, and that you love him and believe in him.<br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/9390759837/" title="Untitled by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9390759837_11f62ba0d7.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />If you'll commit to pray for him, <i>really</i> pray for him, let us know what day and time you'll really be praying. If you pick a time and comment what time you choose, I'll come back and put your name down. The test is two days long, so I'd love to see someone commit to praying for him every hour on those two days. Set yourself a reminder on your phone if you pick a time!<br /><br />Tuesday, July 30th<br />8am: Ryan P., Patti F., Grandma and Grandpa L., Kevin L., Janet R.<br />9am: Ryan P., Deanna H.<br />10am: Ryan P., Stephanie C.<br />11am: Ryan P. Bobbie A.<br />12pm: Ryan P., Grandma and Grandpa L.<br />1pm: Ryan P., Luann B.<br />2pm: Ryan P., Annie R.<br />3pm: Ryan P., Amber F., Heather O.<br />4pm: Ryan P., Keith B., Grandma and Grandpa L., Kevin L., Stacy H.<br /><br />Wednesday, July 31st<br />8am: Ryan P., Patti F., Grandma and Grandpa L., Kevin L., Janet R.<br />9am: Ryan P., Sherye S.<br />10am: Ryan P., Amy B.<br />11am: Ryan P., Christine D.<br />12pm: Ryan P., Grandma and Grandpa L.<br />1pm: Ryan P., Luann B.<br />2pm: Ryan P., Annie R.<br />3pm: Ryan P., Amber F., Heather O.<br />4pm: Ryan P., Grandma and Grandpa L., Kevin L.<br /><br />Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your words of encouragement. Thanks for your unconditional love.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-48270127974914292722013-05-16T00:00:00.000-05:002013-05-16T00:00:06.752-05:00Law school is done.I finished grad school a year ago, and as of today, Kyle is officially done with law school. &nbsp;Together we have a whole bunch of initials after our names, which don't mean that much in the grand scheme of things, but we're pretty excited about them anyway. Frankly, I'm a little jealous that Kyle has a doctoral degree while mine is just a&nbsp;measly&nbsp;old master's degree, but that's a tale for another day. ;) Today is a day for thanks, praise, and celebration.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to our friends and family. &nbsp;I can't even tell you how grateful we are to you all. &nbsp;Our families have provided so much for us throughout our marriage, but especially in the last three years of this crazy grad school adventure. &nbsp;We look at our lives, and so clearly see how generous our family has been to us in supporting this dream of ours. &nbsp;We couldn't have done it without our parents and grandparents. We also have so many friends who have been such a blessing and so encouraging. &nbsp;This has not been an easy three years, but coming to a new city, we couldn't have found a better community than our <a href="http://www.augustgate.com/">August Gate</a> family. &nbsp;Many of them have seen up close the frantic, glazed look in our eyes when we were so overwhelmed, and have walked with us through some difficult moments. &nbsp;We are so thankful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Praise to God. All the glory to Jesus. He is our great provider and sustainer. On all the days we were running on empty, he filled us with grace and turned our eyes upward rather than inward. &nbsp;He gave us a deeper love for his son, and for each other. &nbsp;Somehow, in the craziest three years of our marriage thus far, he managed to increase our joy and love, showing us every day that he loves us, he is good, and we can trust him. &nbsp;There will be many more days in life that we are running on empty, and He will always give what we we need. We have so many reasons to praise him each and every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Celebration of this great moment. &nbsp;We are in a "happy place." We know that troubles will come and go, but right now, life is pretty swell. &nbsp;I am SO incredibly proud of my sweet, brilliant, hard-working, generous, charming, kind, and extremely attractive husband. &nbsp;He is an amazing husband, daddy, friend, employee, and so much more. &nbsp;I love him. &nbsp;I love him more than I can say. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations, my dear husband. We made it. &nbsp;By the grace of God, and the skin of our teeth, we made it. This is a fantastic day, one that we will never forget. &nbsp;I am so proud, and so thankful you are mine. Thank you for working so hard. I know that you did it in large part for our family, so that you could make a better living for us. &nbsp;In the meantime, you found a career that you love, a firm that values you, and a job that excites and challenges you to use that big brain of yours every day. &nbsp;You're my favorite person. You're the best. &nbsp;I love this crazy little life of ours. &nbsp;Thanks for making it so great.&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8736994612/" title="Untitled-1 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled-1" height="250" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8736994612_5d4af28854.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-30681354459785318182013-05-01T00:00:00.000-05:002013-05-01T00:00:05.707-05:00Four months.Margot has been a part of our family for over a year now, since the moment we found out she existed on 4/24/12. &nbsp;What a blessed year this has been. &nbsp;This, her fourth month "on the outside," brought a few firsts.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8692708599/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8238 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8238" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8692708599_fdb235e437.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>She started giggling every day. This is pretty much the best thing we've ever heard. We are constantly trying to catch it on video because it just gets better and better, but the videos never seem to do it justice! We've both become addicted to that little, squealy laugh, and will make the biggest fools of ourselves and do just about anything to bring it out of her.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8693824602/" title="IMG_8271 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8271" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8693824602_ceaac27c9e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />She went to her first (and second) Cardinals game. The first happened to fall on the same night as Kyle getting his official full-time job offer at work, so it ended up being one of the most fun, happy nights either of us can remember. &nbsp;We will never forget it! Margot was super happy, all snuggled up in the Ergo carrier. Even though it was a bit chilly out, we had the PERFECT seats (thanks to the law firm) in the Redbird Club, and we were plenty warm. We even got to invite <a href="http://theindianajoneses.wordpress.com/">Josh and Kim</a> to join us, meet up with a few family members who were also at the game, and see Shelby Miller get a W for our Redbirds.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8644475268/" title="First family baseball game! by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="First family baseball game!" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8644475268_b7408627a5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />MJ is trying so hard to roll over. She is getting really good at scooting on her back, and she can get over to her side pretty easily. &nbsp;Most mornings we find her in some cockeyed position in her crib, and laugh at how in the world she got herself there overnight. Watson often likes to bring her his toys (see bone below). Occasionally he even brings her his frisbee or ball, and then sits in front of her waiting for her to throw it. &nbsp;Some day, buddy. &nbsp;Some day.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8692640429/" title="Trying to roll. by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying to roll." height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8692640429_85ef4b20bf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />She is also enjoying more sit-up time in her Bumbo seat, strengthening that back and neck a little every day. She definitely shows preference to certain toys and teethers, and she really likes variety. &nbsp;She is putting everything in her mouth, and getting very good at grabbing what she wants and bringing it to her mouth by herself. &nbsp;Her favorite thing right now is being outside. She could be screaming at the top of her lungs, but once that fresh air hits her, she is a happy little clam again. &nbsp;I try to take her on as many walks as I can, usually wearing her in the Ergo. I want to wear and snuggle her as much as I can while I can! It is so neat to see her face light up in wonder as she takes in trees, flowers, buildings, birds, and so much more. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to see green leaves for the first time, but if I had to judge from her face, it must be pretty spectacular. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8693990966/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8693990966_712684f672.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>We've yet to try any rice cereal, and we're thinking about skipping it all together. She is sleeping great and gaining weight, so we're thinking of just waiting until 6 months when we can start her on veggies and fruits. I haven't talked to many other parents about this, but from what I've read there isn't much nutritional value to the rice cereal anyway, right? Is there really a good reason to do it?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8692706289/" title="IMG_8286 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8286" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8692706289_3d9d002ce7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Mommy geeked out when she said her first CV syllable (that's consonant-vowel, for you non SLPs.) So far, I've heard /k, g, p, d, m, ng/. While I'm not in any huge hurry for her to get big and crawl or walk, I can't wait for her to talk!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8693825308/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8258 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8258" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8693825308_8abf8a8117.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>She is such a joy, and we love her so much! We are learning every day how to be the parents she needs, and it is a challenge, but so wonderful. &nbsp;My friend Megan shared this quote last week that really stuck with me:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"I thought parenting was going to portray my strengths, never realizing that God had ordained it to reveal my weaknesses."&nbsp;</span></blockquote>Boy, is that the truth! It is shaping us as parents, as husband and wife, and as followers of Christ, for the better. &nbsp;It is exciting to think about what the next month will bring for Margot and us, including the conclusion of law school for Kyle. What a journey this has been! We are feeling the goodness of God as we look back and see how he carried us through every day, and thankful that he equipped us to build this life and love on him, our solid rock, our firm foundation, our only hope.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8692706659/" title="IMG_8279 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8279" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8692706659_db86ce5f6a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Happy four months, Margot Jane! We love you so very much.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-29148441349348831812013-04-01T16:07:00.000-05:002013-04-01T16:07:38.459-05:00Three months.Margot is three months old. I just can't believe it. &nbsp;Now, she seems such a permanent fixture of our lives. It's as if she's always been part of our family, and yet we've only just begun to learn to love her.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8609812479/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8062 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8062" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8609812479_28f50fbb56.jpg" width="333" /></a></div></div><div>She giggles and wiggles. She fusses and pouts. She increasingly demands our attention. &nbsp;She LOVES to be talked to, played with, and walked around. She knows her mommy. She knows her daddy.<br /><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8610917218/" title="IMG_8104 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8104" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8610917218_0743f878b6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div>Her two favorites places (other than mommy's arms) are her changing table and her swing. She loves to grab at things, especially if she can twist her little fingers around it, like mommy's hair, OUCH! Haha.</div></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8609811829/" title="IMG_8141 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8141" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8609811829_64884c7ed6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div>She got to celebrate her first Easter with daddy, mommy, and Grandpa TJ. Her basket was full of colorful eggs, books, teether toys, and a new Bumbo seat. She is not sure what to think of the seat as it requires a bit of a workout to hold herself up.&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8610918892/" title="IMG_7972 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7972" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8610918892_36b3ed8cac.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8609813337/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7977 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7977" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8114/8609813337_4779db1ba7.jpg" width="333" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8610917902/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_8044 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8044" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8610917902_2d56fb7c38.jpg" width="333" /></a></div></div><div>All in all, she's pretty spectacular.&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8610918244/" title="IMG_8027 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8027" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8610918244_5b4db39591.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div>Every week feels so busy and goes so quickly. &nbsp;We keep feeling like we are just barely keeping our heads above water between our jobs, law school, church life, trying to keep a household running, and getting as much quality time with Margot as we can. &nbsp;I hope it doesn't always feel this way. I hate that feeling of "just getting by." I hope once law school is out of that equation, things might ease up just a bit. Even if they don't, however, we are completely grateful for the grace God has given us to get through, particularly with my return to work full-time this past month. &nbsp;It has not been easy, but He has provided us with enough energy, patience, and strength to get through, and given us so much love and joy for each other!</div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-16882312569208768342013-03-01T12:54:00.000-06:002013-03-01T12:54:00.497-06:00Two months.Where have the last two months gone? I know that's such a cliché thing to say, but it's so true! This time has flown by. Margot has grown, our hearts have swelled even more with love for her, and our lives are continually changing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8518345455/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7836 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7836" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8518345455_d9e97d8d8b.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8518346139/" title="IMG_7827 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7827" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8518346139_d99c62a63a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />This month brought a lot of firsts, meeting new friends and family, and little outings to fun places. I can't even begin to recount every one, but it has been busy and fun. Everywhere I take her, I feel like I'm showing her off. No matter where we go, she makes people smile and everyone exclaims, "Look at that hair! She's so cute!"<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8519458584/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7828 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7828" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8519458584_99e6cccdae.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8518346305/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7820 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7820" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8518346305_508baf3415.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />We are really seeing lots of smiles now and hearing her little voice coo every day. Sometimes she gets so smiley, we think we're going to get a giggle out of her, but she's not quite there yet.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8519457978/" title="IMG_7845 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7845" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8519457978_2fcb1fe0fb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />We sure are crazy about this precious baby!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-79544882851386238032013-02-01T15:49:00.002-06:002013-02-01T15:49:45.817-06:00One month.Little miss Margot is one month old today! I want to smile and cry. I can't believe how fast the month has gone. We are so blessed by this pretty little sugar plum.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8435556803/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7351 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7351" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8435556803_2a4fec9100.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />She had her one month checkup this morning with her pediatrician. (Side bar: I LOVE her pediatrician. Is it weird if I say that I really just want to be friends with her? She's fab.) Margot is growing beautifully and is exactly in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for height.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8435556041/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7360 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7360" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8435556041_4a8d48483e.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />She is changing every day it seems! Everywhere we take her, she delights the masses with her bright eyes and head full of downy soft hair. We just can't get enough of her cooing and smiles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8435556265/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7357 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7357" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8435556265_90e8b84268.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />She hasn't shown much interest in any toys or stuffed animals yet, but she does seem to have a favorite song, Harry Belefonte's "Jump in the Line." It was stuck in my head one day when she was fussing, so I tracked down <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic87SfqQAAM">this Youtube video</a> so we could listen to it and dance, and she immediately calmed down. Every time I tried to change the song, she started fussing again, so we listened to it on repeat for a solid 45 minutes. We have danced to it every day since!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8436641248/" title="IMG_7345 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7345" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8436641248_7812c35daf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, MJ, for an amazing first month as a family of three!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8435556421/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7353 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7353" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8435556421_249777f13f.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-37252770523987916112013-01-08T10:28:00.000-06:002013-01-08T10:28:15.818-06:0037 HoursLabor was absolutely nothing like what I expected. I'd watched all kinds of documentaries, read books, talked to 100 moms, met with my doula friend, and mentally prepared myself as much as possible, and couldn't have planned for the reality of my own labor.<br /><br />Some of you are probably curious about Margot's birth, given that when announcing it I used the word "dramatic." It was dramatic to us, anyway. I woke up Sunday morning, 12/30, feeling tons of pain and pressure, enough that we stayed home from church so I could rest and get comfortable. &nbsp;At 2pm, I started feeling contractions. It started very slowly. They weren't super painful or regular, so we relaxed as much as possible and made it through Fellowship of the Ring and the first half of The Two Towers. At that point we decided to get some rest while we could.<br /><br />I slept for three hours and then woke up at 1am when the contractions were too strong to ignore. At that point they were just 3 minutes apart and we figured it was time to go to the hospital. We got admitted and I was only 3cm. While that was a bit discouraging, I knew that it could progress quickly, and really thought it would given that the contractions were strong and regular.<br /><br />I hit a wall at 7cm. At that point, I'd already been laboring for over 24 hours, was hungry and exhausted, and felt I could hardly hold myself up. The&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;staff recommended that they break my water, and that would speed things up. She would be there by dinner time, with plenty of time to recover and watch that NYE ball drop. The ball drop came and went, and I still wasn't fully dilated.<br /><br />Some time around 1:30 am on 1/1, they said it was time to push. At that point, they had not yet told me that I was running a fever or that Margot was sideways and not turned all the way, or that her heart rate was really high. All I knew was that I was exhausted and didn't know how in the world I was going to muster the strength to get her here, but my husband was whispering in my ear that I could do it, and that was what I needed to hear. So I pushed. And pushed.<br /><br />After over two hours of pushing, the docs finally came and said that my fever was weakening my contractions, there was infection in my fluid around the baby, that her heart rate was indicating a lot of stress, and that it was time for them to cut her out. &nbsp;Oddly, after all my plans of natural childbirth, I was relieved and even rejoicing over this. "Let's do it!" Kyle looked terrified, and then told our families who were also terrified. <br /><br />They prepped me quickly and wheeled me away to the operating room where they gave me some incredible drugs. &nbsp;"Thank you, Jesus!" I immediately felt relief and more alert than I had been in many, many hours. Kyle was surprised to walk in and find me calmly chatting with the OR staff. He and I chatted and even laughed while they did their jobs.<br /><br />He stood and watched her come out, cut her umbilical cord, watched them clean her and weigh her, and then brought her to me. When we heard her cry for the first time, it did something to both of us. Something I'll probably never be able to explain. When I kissed her little cheeks and saw that mess of hair, I was so ecstatic that she was finally here, and thankful that we made it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8355071058/" title="IMG_7230 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7230" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8355071058_7829230858.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />For the following days, I continued to fight a fever and very low blood pressure. I lost a lot of blood during the surgery and I am still dealing with the fluid loss, swelling, and general peakedness on top of the pain of having major surgery. Each day gets a bit better and I see that I can do a little more.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/proverbs+19%3A21/">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; text-indent: -3.5em;">Many are the plans in the mind of a man,</span></a><br /><div class="indent line" id="p20019021_11-1" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 7em; text-indent: -4em;"><a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/proverbs+19%3A21/">but&nbsp;it is the purpose of the&nbsp;<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>&nbsp;that will stand."</a></div><div class="indent line" id="p20019021_11-1" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 7em; text-indent: -4em;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -4em;"></span></div><br />The purpose of the Lord for us was to bring home a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and He provided skilled people who helped us get her here as safely as possible, and family and friends who continue to support and take care of us in these early days as a family of three. &nbsp;His purpose for us was and is grace upon grace, upon grace.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8355071538/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_7221 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7221" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8355071538_c481249410.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />Thank you, Lord. Thank you, family. Thank you, friends. We love you all.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-40367810918670665262012-12-21T16:47:00.000-06:002012-12-21T16:56:43.728-06:00Margot's Room: Little English Lady Meets Little Hipster BabyI've had a nursery planned out in my head for years. Of course, in all my planning, I was convinced we'd have a boy first, so when Margot turned out to be a Margot, not a ____, I had to adjust a bit. &nbsp;My plans also did not include that we would still be living in a two-bedroom flat with no yard and the laundry two floors down, but that's life I suppose, and we are grateful for what we've been given.<br /><br />Anyhow, once I actually came to terms with the idea that we were really having a girl, and that we still needed to use that second bedroom for guests, I started to put together a room that would not only still function and feel comfortable for our guests, but could house a growing, beautiful girl and all of her stuff. (Side bar: how can such tiny people have so much STUFF?!) It's still a work in progress, but I always feel that way about every room in my house.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8294431877/" title="IMG_7020 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7020" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8294431877_4820932009.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />It had to start with a plan for storage. This can be an issue in any house, but we had some particular challenges due to our closet space, or lack thereof. Kyle's clothes have long occupied the closet in our guest room (or <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/234833-daughter-of-eve-from-the-far-land-of-spare-oom">Spare Oom</a>, if you will), and there is just nowhere for them to go from there. We knew we'd need a wardrobe for Margot.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8295485162/" title="IMG_7028 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7028" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8295485162_e798dee4d9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We also knew that we wanted this shelving unit from IKEA, which just so happened to fit like a glove into the space we had available. It's currently a bit "busier" than I'd prefer, but did I mention how much STUFF she already has? I don't know that the shelf will ever make it down the stairs and out of this house if we move, but I couldn't be happier with the storage it provides in the meantime!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8295484014/" title="IMG_7029 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7029" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8295484014_5c89f1cf94.jpg" width="372" /></a><br /><br />The second thing I had to consider was color. &nbsp;I wanted it to feel bright and cheery, and yet not too babyish. Neutral walls and neutral bedding, with brighter colors layered on top. For Margot's bed, I scoured the internet for crib bedding, but didn't like a thing, so I ended up getting plain white sheets, a vintage white quilt from Etsy, and a breathable bumper. It ended up being super cheap that way! We used an old quilt made by Kyle's grandmother as the "comforter" for the guest bed, and I was so glad that the beautiful flower blanket gifted to me by my mother a couple years ago could finally be on display. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8295487190/" title="IMG_7019 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7019" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/8295487190_3f8cb14ac2.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><br />Many of the other pieces of furniture and decor in her room came from yard sales, Craigslist, and Etsy.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8294433575/" title="IMG_7018 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7018" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8294433575_fc4437c0ef.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8294428489/" title="IMG_7035 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7035" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8083/8294428489_eee8609bd0.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><br />One of my favorite items (and probably my mother's LEAST favorite) is her little woodland creature, who came from last year's <a href="http://www.strangefolkfestival.com/">Strange Folk Festival</a>. He's currently just chillin' in her Boppy. I think he's cute and whimsical. Margot's Grandma Lu had a few other adjectives for him, but we love him just the same!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8295489536/" title="IMG_7015 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7015" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8216/8295489536_cb43ef92f6.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><br />Kyle made some personal contributions to the room, as well. He is an avid tea drinker, a&nbsp;connoisseur&nbsp;of fine tea, if you will. He's been saving dozens of tea tins for years, in the hopes they could some day be used for a baby. They look pretty cute just randomly stacked on her shelves for now, and I suspect she'll love playing with all of them some day.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8294426005/" title="IMG_7039 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7039" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8294426005_dd3f12b710.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Two things I'm pretty sure of for the moment:<br />1. Her room will probably never look or feel this clean again.<br />2. As with every other room in my house, it will always feel unfinished.<br /><br />Unfinished is not the same as incomplete, however, and when she is here I am confident the room will feel complete!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-13055976707148782482012-12-13T09:25:00.000-06:002012-12-13T09:25:21.699-06:00Cue the Jeopardy music.As of today, Kyle is officially done with finals! He is 5/6 of the way through law school, and I couldn't be more excited or more proud of him. That is, until he gets that big, fancy Doctor of Jurisprudence in May, and then when he gets sworn in to the state bar next November. Those days will be very proud days. I already have visions of taking some precious family pictures with him in his cap, gown, and hood, and beautiful little Margot in a pretty Spring dress.<br /><br />In the meantime, our life now looks a lot like this:<br /><br />Waiting, waiting, waiting.<br /><br />I've been pretty restless, both mentally and physically. This makes for long, fuzzy days and nights. At work I feel distracted and slow-moving, but I am thankful to still be working and have something to take my mind off of all. the. waiting. At home I feel physically exhausted, and yet so anxious and unable to rest well, wishing I had the energy to get up and really deep clean this whole darn house. &nbsp;I keep waiting for that last big burst of energy that people keep telling me about. So far, I haven't seen any signs of it.<br /><br />In these last few days as a family of two, I have some plans for how we'll spend our time. Most of it involves snuggling on the couch and watching movies. It sounds glorious to me!<br /><br /><br /><br />Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-30472824203162311482012-12-09T14:31:00.000-06:002012-12-09T14:34:23.009-06:00A Bad Kitty ChristmasKyle and I have a tradition of buying a new Christmas book every year. In the past, we've purchased classics like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Day-Morning-Pearl-Buck/dp/0688162673/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1355083797&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=christmas+day+in+the+morning">Christmas Day in the Morning</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Express-Chris-Van-Allsburg/dp/0395389496/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1355083842&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+polar+express">The Polar Express</a>, and fun, silly books like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Llama-Holiday-Drama-Anna-Dewdney/dp/0670011614/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1355083896&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=llama+llama+holiday+drama">Llama Llama Holiday Drama</a>. We never plan what we want to get, we just peruse the Christmas books and get whatever strikes our fancy at the time. This year, we found a book that is not only a great story with a sweet ending, lots of rhymes, and a healthy dose of alliteration, but particularly appropriate for us.<br /><br />You may have seen an update from me earlier this week that our very ornery kitty, Ellie, knocked down our whole Christmas tree, making a huge mess and snapping the legs off beyond repair. After locking her in our bedroom for a couple hours and shedding a few tears in frustration, we packed up all the ornaments and lights, and decided that it would just be one less thing we'd have to deal with after MJ arrives.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8259062348/" title="Ellie broke the Christmas tree. And my heart. #hormonemeltdown by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Ellie broke the Christmas tree. And my heart. #hormonemeltdown" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8259062348_73ed935895.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anyway, fast-forward to today... I went in search of our annual Christmas book, and the very first book I saw on the shelf was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Kitty-Christmas-Nick-Bruel/dp/1596436689">A Bad Kitty Christmas</a>. Before even opening, I knew this would be our book.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8257942577/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_6986 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6986" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8257942577_00bb62f3b0.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />It's a pretty humorous story at first, detailing all the damage Kitty causes at Christmas time, but then takes a turn for the sentimental as Kitty's family responds to the naughtiness.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8257941875/" title="IMG_6992 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6992" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8257941875_79d4676f13.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />I don't think there could be a better-fitting book for us this year, unless of course it had something to say about waiting on the arrival of a new baby. We still love our pretty kitty despite her destructive ways!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8259006818/" title="IMG_6993 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6993" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8259006818_c83231d0cd.jpg" width="500" /></a>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-67186700173607411802012-12-07T09:59:00.000-06:002012-12-07T10:19:38.590-06:00A Lost HabitMy blogging has steadily decreased over the last couple years. I attribute this in part to grad school, and in part to other social outlets like <a href="https://twitter.com/chelseannbass">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/chelseannbass/">Instagram</a>, where I can share bits and pieces of life as they happen. Lately, however, I find that I miss the reflection that comes from writing this blog, and the outlet to share pictures and document life's adventures in a more meaningful way.<br /><br />As we are about to embark on one of life's biggest adventures, parenthood, I find that I really want to re-establish this habit of writing and sharing. I realize that my time is about to get stretched even more, but I also feel it's important to create this journal and scrapbook of sorts on the joys and challenges of our lives, and have a place to look back and see all that God accomplishes in time.<br /><br />So here's hoping that I can re-establish this discipline, and that it won't be thought of as a chore, but something I can truly enjoy again. To jumpstart this, here's a mini-update on life recently.<br /><br />We are waiting for Margot. I am feeling huge and increasingly uncomfortable. I woke up last night at 3am thinking I was having my first contraction (it felt just like people described), but then realized it was just gas... I'm sure you wanted to know that.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8240888063/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_6979 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6979" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8240888063_f4a3bba81e.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>&nbsp;Kyle is taking finals. This semester has been very taxing (not that you'll find <i>him</i> complaining), and next semester doesn't look any better, particularly when you factor in a new baby at home. The poor man has pretty much every minute of every day scheduled, which makes for a pretty exhausting&nbsp;regimen. Remember last Spring when I wrote about <a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-proud-of-bkb.html%20Done">how insanely busy he is</a>? Well, it's worse now. We are both looking forward to the day when there is even an hour of free time to relax with each other, invest time in others, and enjoy life. One more semester and a summer of Bar prep to go!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8083966195/" title="Daddy is practicing. by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Daddy is practicing." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8083966195_43b7e2fbf8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />That about sums it up for us. I am looking forward to Kyle being on break, which will allow us to do some fun things like go see <a href="http://www.thehobbit.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_term=the%2520hobbit%2520movie&amp;utm_content=15864155543&amp;utm_campaign=The%2520Hobbit_Flight_Brand_Media%2520Ad_Desktop">The Hobbit</a>. Oh, and having a baby. That'll be pretty good, too, I guess.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-78487144618726253852012-11-24T17:18:00.000-06:002012-12-07T10:00:29.897-06:00Hospital BagThe pregnancy app on my phone has been telling me for two weeks that I should have a hospital bag packed, but I still haven't done it. I keep reading blog posts like <a href="http://www.mysweetnestblog.com/2012/06/06/packing-for-the-hospital/">this one</a> where people share what they packed, and then I get super anxious about how disorganized I am.<br /><br />Honestly, I don't get this whole packing-a-hospital-bag-a-month-in-advance thing. First of all, I still need to <i>use</i> all this stuff and I'm not about to buy duplicates of everything just so it can sit in a bag. Second of all, I don't anticipate needing to rush out the door so suddenly that we won't have time to gather these necessities while I am in early labor. &nbsp;Third, I am annoyed at the idea of a bag just sitting around my house for who knows how long. &nbsp;I think it will get in the way and just make me more anxious.<br /><br />Is it <i>really</i>&nbsp;necessary? Tell me <i>why</i>, because I really don't buy it.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-46238308849645368362012-11-06T10:59:00.001-06:002012-11-06T11:00:41.056-06:00Counting Down and Facing FearsWe are just 48 days from Margot's "due date." Watching this number get smaller and smaller continues to bring out some pretty serious anxiety in me. Everything about our life is about to change forever.&nbsp;We've been through changing seasons of life before, but none so permanent, none so seemingly radical.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8161496111/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bass-259 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Bass-259" height="266" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8161496111_fef31bae93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I think my biggest fear is how it will affect our marriage. Although we are completely excited to be growing our family, we have been a family of two for so long that it seems crazy to be adding another person. We have been blessed with an unbelievably strong and happy marriage. Kyle is truly my best friend, and I have a very hard time sharing him. Work, law school, and many other things take his time, and I am so jealous of his time. Now I have to share him with another person? This is going to be weird, and hard.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8161528518/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bass-295 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Bass-295" height="266" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8161528518_85b2058884.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>People keep telling me it won't be so hard, after all. They tell me that we'll be so in love with Margot we won't think about it, and that watching Kyle be her daddy will make me more in love with him. Well, I have no doubt about that. I have already witnessed the way he has cared for me and shown so much excitement over her, that it makes me crazy with love for him. I'm just selfishly wondering how I'm going to deal with having less time for just the two of us. Maybe it's because I'm an only child. Maybe it's because 9 years together without kids is too long and I've become really selfish. Maybe I'm just being ridiculous.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8161528022/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bass-307 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Bass-307" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8161528022_12d5b4f9ec.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>One thing I am sure of is that MJ will be so lucky to grow up in a home where her daddy and mommy love each other so much. This is something that many kids (self included) can't really understand. This isn't to say that our marriage is perfect or that we'll be perfect parents, but I have to think that growing up in a household with happy parents who love each other sacrificially and show that love openly would be a pretty great thing. At least, that's my hope.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8161529912/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bass-182 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Bass-182" height="266" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8161529912_e57c6f466b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We so desperately want to show her the love of Jesus in our marriage, in the way we love each other and her, and in the way we serve each other and our community as a family. All the other fears seem insignificant in light of this.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/8161494811/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bass-401 by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Bass-401" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8161494811_fa9ccc7969.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>There's no stopping this train, ready or not. We're praying God will miraculously equip us to accomplish his will and purpose for our family, and that there will be no loss of love and joy.Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-15644918906961396052012-08-02T14:41:00.000-05:002012-08-02T14:41:34.013-05:00Nutella CookiesToday I felt stranded in my house. Not because I couldn't actually go anywhere, but because I didn't have anything chocolate in the house. &nbsp;As I was perusing <a href="http://pinterest.com/chelseannbass/">Pinterest</a>, I saw a link to these <a href="http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/nutella-cookies/">Nutella cookies</a> from Tasty Kitchen. &nbsp;I read a few of the reviews and then made a few modifications of my own. They turned out great! &nbsp;Here's what I came up with:<br /><br />1C Flour (Simply substitute almond flour to make these gluten free!)<br />1C (plus a couple extra&nbsp;spoonfuls) Nutella<br />1 Egg<br />1/4C Chocolate chips (chopped in mini food processor)<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350. Mix ingredients together. Dough will be a little crumbly, but just use your hands to combine and roll into balls. &nbsp;Bake 8-10 minutes.<br /><br />Mine didn't flatten very well, so I used a fork to press them down (like a peanut butter cookie) after I pulled them out of the oven. After they cooled for a couple minutes, I took a bite and thought they needed a touch of sweetness, so I sprinkled a teensy bit of powdered sugar on each cookie. I paired it with some ice cold milk and it was warm, chewy, and delicious.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/7699522556/" title="A warm Nutella cookie and an ice cold glass of milk. Hallelujah. by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="A warm Nutella cookie and an ice cold glass of milk. Hallelujah." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7699522556_61f54971cd.jpg" width="500" /></a>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-31668773013109361002012-07-06T14:31:00.001-05:002012-11-01T21:11:50.944-05:00Boy or Girl?What will Baby Bass be? Just nine more days until we find out!<br /><div class="widget-content" id="widget-content"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="140" name="poll-widget-5029683995947851906" src="http://www.google.com/reviews/polls/display/-5029683995947851906/blogger_template/run_app?txtclr=%23464646&amp;lnkclr=%230cbf0c&amp;chrtclr=%230cbf0c&amp;font=normal+normal+16px+Josefin+Sans&amp;hideq=true&amp;purl=http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/" style="border: none; width: 100%;"></iframe></div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-24150185508811629622012-07-03T10:46:00.001-05:002012-11-01T21:11:18.990-05:00Calling All Moms!I have been working on some wishlists and registry items for Baby Bass (because, let's face it, I've got some time on my hands these days) and I need your help. &nbsp;I am overwhelmed by all the baby <i>stuff</i>.<br /><br />Please tell me:<br />- What are your three favorite products for baby? Maybe it's some cool gear, the perfect blankie, or a really special toy.<br />- What are your three favorite products for new moms? Maybe it's your favorite lip gloss, a tote bag with the storage capacity of Mary Poppins' carpet bag, &nbsp;or the world's greatest crockpot recipe. &nbsp;Whatever it is, please tell me!<br /><br />Nooooowwwww, GO!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-8169897825125962122012-06-24T18:57:00.007-05:002012-06-24T21:34:34.674-05:00Nothing to Eat: 25 Go-To Dishes.I constantly struggle with feeling like I don't know what to make for dinner. &nbsp;Lately, there have been a lot of days when the idea of prepping a meal made me sick or just seemed too daunting. &nbsp;I have been living off of fruit and crackers for weeks.<br /><br />I am TERRIBLY picky, so it really limits our meal plans. &nbsp;I decided to compile a list of only the cheapest and easiest recipes I could throw together quickly and painlessly. &nbsp;They're not the healthiest by any means, but remember I said CHEAP and EASY. &nbsp;Pair them with the vegetable or salad of your choice for a very simple meal. This is getting posted on the side of my fridge and I'm calling it my "Nothing to Eat" list.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Goulash: Ground beef, elbow macaroni, spaghetti sauce, pinch of sugar</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Spaghetti and garlic bread</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Grilled cheese and canned soup</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sloppy Joes</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88K5qw4uPhE">Brinner</a>&nbsp;(that's BReakfast for dINNER)</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">BBQ Chicken Sandwiches: 2-3 breasts in crockpot with BBQ sauce for 6-8 hrs</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2010/09/baked-potato-soup.html">Baked potato soup</a></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Buttered noodles with parmesan cheese</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tacos</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Quesadillas: two tortillas buttered on outside, shredded cheese and meat of choice in middle, cook it just like a grilled cheese sandwich</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tortilla roll-up: Spread cream cheese and chop lunch meat, roll and slice</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ham and cheddar crescent roll-ups: sliced ham and shredded cheddar rolled up and baked to crescent instructions</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2011/06/broiled-tilapia-parmesan.html">Broiled tilapia parmesan</a>&nbsp;(5 minute prep, 10 minutes to cook)</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Broiled salsa tilapia: place tilapia in broiling ban, cover with salsa (and a bit of shredded cheese if you're feeling frisky), broil 10 minutes</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Baked potatoes: top with meat, cheese, or anything you want.</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Garlic chicken pasta: 2-4 chicken breasts cubed and pan cooked in&nbsp;¼ C olive oil, 5-7 garlic cloves, add to cooked pasta, sprinkle with parmesan cheese</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Biscuits and gravy: fried sausage, add 3C milk, 3-4T flour, &nbsp;serve over biscuits of choice</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">BBQ Chicken Pizza: </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">store-bought pizza shell, cooked chicken breast, BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/161003755398029392/">Tortilla shell mini-pizzas</a></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sh*t on a Shingle: Ground beef with milk &amp; flour gravy over toast.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2010/09/baked-salmon.html">Baked Salmon</a></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Chicken pot pie: 2 cans crescent roll dough, cream of chicken soup, chopped veggies, 2 cooked and diced chicken breasts, cook at 350 for 15 minutes</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pork chops baked with <a href="http://www.mccormick.com/Products/Seasoning-Mixes/Bag-n-Season/Bag-n-Season-Pork-Chops.aspx">McCormick Bag n’ Season</a></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Grilled paninis: your favorite sandwich buttered on the outside and grilled on the George Foreman&nbsp;</span></li><li>Fried egg sandwiches: top with bacon, mayo, lettuce, tomato, or nothing at all<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div></span></li></ol><div>Please share your favorite cheap and easy recipes! I'd love to have a few more go-to's when I just don't feel like hours of prep work!</div><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-74837533154032254532012-06-06T16:07:00.003-05:002012-11-01T21:13:54.046-05:00My FriendsIn the last couple months, I've developed some pretty good friendships. &nbsp;I just want to take a moment to thank them for being there for me.<br /><ul><li>Peppermint Tums, thank you for always being by my side. &nbsp;I take you everywhere because you always prove your worth. &nbsp;You work hard and fast, and though you don't always get the job done in the nick of time, you always make things a little less painful.</li><li>Green and white tea, you are long time friends of mine, but I never would have guessed your stomach-soothing powers. &nbsp;We will be life-long friends, but I just appreciate you a little more right now.</li><li>Soy nuts, although you are a recent addition to my inner circle of friends, I find that you are one the most effective friends at keeping my insides from coming out. &nbsp;Perhaps it's your alkalizing powers or some other magical ingredient. &nbsp;I don't know exactly what it is about you, soy nuts, but thank you for all you do.</li><li>Alkalizing fruits, you know who you are. You&nbsp;raucous&nbsp;bunch of pears, apples, pineapples, bananas, and more, have recently become my best friends and certainly the most beautiful and delicious of all my friends. &nbsp;Your effects are long-lasting, your flavors are delightful. Thank you for keeping me fed and giving me nutrients.</li></ul><div>I have tried so many remedies for morning sickness, I could hardly name them all. &nbsp;For a long time, I was living off the stereotypical saltines and ginger ale, but it got to a point when that was just NOT cutting it, so I did a little research, and found that, while ginger is good, ginger ale is actually very acidic and so are the crackers. &nbsp;More acid in my churning stomach was not what I needed. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Upon the recommendation of formerly and currently pregnant friends, I tried everything from <a href="https://www.threelollies.com/Products/tabid/63/categoryid/2/Default.aspx">Preggy Pop Drops</a> to <a href="http://www.sea-band.com/uses-for-seaband">Sea Bands</a>. &nbsp;The results were a bit inconsistent. &nbsp;I am using the Sea Bands at this very moment, and they do seem to have a soothing effect. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I've found it strange how food aversions work. &nbsp;One day something can sound incredibly disgusting and I think I'll never want to eat it again, and the next it's all I want to eat. &nbsp;It can change from hour to hour. &nbsp;The only things that have consistently sounded good are frozen yogurt and fruit. &nbsp;I was pretty consistently craving mac and cheese until a recent... unfortunate incident... after eating some.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being sick can take it's toll. &nbsp;At first it was easy to just be grateful for it, knowing what it meant. &nbsp;Weeks of vomiting and constant nausea can break even the most optimistic and grateful girl down, though. &nbsp;It sure makes me wonder at <a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2012/03/notes-on-dying-messy-commentary.html">my strong and amazing stepmother</a> who was so sick with cancer for months and nary whispered a complaint. &nbsp;I have certainly had a few emotional days when I just felt exasperated of being so puny.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I am ever more grateful for <a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-proud-of-bkb.html">my incredible husband</a> who has done everything in his power to help me be comfortable and happy. &nbsp;This has included doing more than his fair share around the house, running to the store, or running out to get me some kind of food that actually sounded good, prepping and cooking food while I stand at the doorway to the kitchen because I can't stand to look at or smell it, sleeping curled up to one side of the bed because I have to be surrounded by pillows to get comfortable, and just generally dealing with my mood swings and emotions. &nbsp;God gave me such a great man! &nbsp;I love him so much and there is NO doubt just how much he loves me and baby. &nbsp;What a precious gift.</div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-68055991888919853742012-06-05T13:36:00.001-05:002012-11-01T21:13:54.045-05:00The Word is Out! That word is B-A-B-Y.It's spreading like wildfire all o'er the land (err, um, the Midwest, perhaps). Team Bass is getting a tiny new member around Christmas this year. &nbsp;There are just so many thoughts and emotions reeling through my mind at any given moment.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseannbass/7342300416/" title="Baby Bass - Week 11 Profile by Across the Brandywine, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby Bass - Week 11 Profile" height="380" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7342300416_a91fa4111f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><br />The first is "PHEW!" This was the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. &nbsp;It's a huge relief and joy to openly talk about our wee little bundle. &nbsp;We even waited to tell family until I was about 8 weeks along. &nbsp;That was pretty tough! &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I know there are many questions people will want to ask, so let me just go ahead and address some of them right now. &nbsp;</div><div><ol><li>No, we do not yet know the gender. Feel free to make a guess!</li><li>Our due date was Christmas day, but has been bumped up to Christmas Eve. &nbsp;We're hoping baby decides to put a little distance between his or her birthday and Christmas, because how fun will that be in a few years? (Hint: Not very.)</li><li>Yes, I have been feeling pretty sick. Morning sickness is no fun, but it IS a blessed reminder that baby is healthy and growing. &nbsp;It gives me peace of mind when I start to worry.</li><li>Yes, we have names picked out. &nbsp;No, we're not sharing.</li><li>For those of you who previously knew of our long-term <a href="http://acrossthebrandywine.blogspot.com/2009/08/suspicions-confirmed-were-infertile.html">infertility</a>, no, we did not conceive this babe using any medical treatment. &nbsp;We tried six months of a drug called Clomid, but never conceived. &nbsp;This was a straight-up shock and miracle from our good, good God.</li></ol><div>Does that cover the bases? &nbsp;I hope so, because I know *I* would want to ask those questions!&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div>All this happy news was rather a shock. &nbsp;We just felt hopeless on this front. &nbsp;We knew it wasn't, but it was pretty bleak from our shadowed eyes. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>After the initial shock, there were even feelings of guilt. Why us? Why not one of our many other friends who are dealing with infertility who seem so much more deserving? &nbsp;The only answer to that is that, truly, none of us deserve it, but we are openly accepting this precious grace from God, and praying he will pour out this gift to others who are waiting and hurting.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We know there are so many people who have been praying and hoping with and for us. &nbsp;This is a testimony for all of you. &nbsp;God does answer our cries. &nbsp;He is good even in our darkest hour. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Lord, for hearing my pleas and sustaining me through the pain of waiting! Thank you, friends, for all of your love and encouragement.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><blockquote class="tr_bq">For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.”</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">(1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV)</blockquote></blockquote></div>Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708388659585920664.post-74010772993398720282012-05-17T09:50:00.001-05:002012-05-17T09:50:42.895-05:00Sunshiny DaysLife has been feeling rather like this lately:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tgVNgYXFi_Q" width="500"></iframe><br /><br />It has been a long while since I've had so much joy, and I realize the danger in it at times. &nbsp;God has certainly blessed me through many earthly circumstances lately, but I know the joy that comes from our circumstances is fleeting.<br /><br />While I am soaking up these sunshiny days in my heart, I am also reminding myself that my only lasting joy comes from Christ. &nbsp;When troubles come again, and they most certainly will, I can look to Him as my ultimate source of happiness and hope.<br /><br />Here's to the sunshine while it lasts!Chelsea Basshttps://plus.google.com/115152668741371618716noreply@blogger.com1